housecarl

[ hous-kahrl ]

noun

1. a member of the household troops or bodyguard of a Danish or early English king or noble.

housecarl

/ ˈhaʊsˌkɑːl /

noun

1. (in medieval Europe) a household warrior of Danish kings and noblemen

Word History and Origins

Origin of housecarl¹

before 1050; Middle English; late Old English hūscarl < Danish hūskarl. See house, carl

Word History and Origins

Origin of housecarl¹

Old English hūscarl, from Old Norse hūskarl manservant, from hūs house + karl man; see churl

Example Sentences

So said Dudda, the rough housecarl; and it is in my mind that the kindly remembrance would have wiped out many a thought of wrong, had there been any.

From Project Gutenberg

But it did not seem right to me that an atheling of Wessex should be alone, without so much as a housecarl to tend him and stand at his back at need.

From Project Gutenberg

So we went to the quarter of the fair where such things as we needed were to be had, and there we took pleasure in fitting my new follower out in all decent housecarl attire, not by any means sparing for good leather jerkin and Norwich-cloth hose and hood, for I would not have him looked down on by our Frankish servants.

From Project Gutenberg

One man, too, in the dress of a housecarl, lay not far off, wounded sorely.

From Project Gutenberg

"Matter of ten or twelve miles, lord," said the housecarl.

From Project Gutenberg